Sign up to receive free email alerts when patent applications with chosen keywords are publishedSIGN UP

Abstract:

A method comprises communicating, by a first device, with a second
device, using a device-to-device communication on licensed band,
determining, by the first device, whether unlicensed band resources are
available, and if the unlicensed band resources are available,
initiating, by the first device, a set up of a device-to-device
communication on unlicensed band.

Claims:

1.-74. (canceled)

75. A method comprising, communicating, by a first device, with a second
device, using a device-to-device communication on licensed band;
determining, by the first device, whether unlicensed band resources are
available; and if the unlicensed band resources are available,
initiating, by the first device, a set up of a device-to-device
communication on unlicensed band.

76. The method of claim 75, wherein the determining whether unlicensed
band resources are available comprises negotiating with the second
device.

77. The method of claim 76, wherein at least one of: the negotiating with
the second device; and the set up of a device-to-device communication on
unlicensed band; is carried via device-to-device communication on
licensed band.

78. The method of claim 76, wherein the negotiating with the second
device comprises: providing at least one measurement request message by
the first device to the second device; and receiving at least one
measurement response message from the second device.

79. The method of claim 75, wherein the determining whether unlicensed
band resources are available is performed periodically or triggered at a
first device, by a message from a second device.

80. The method of claim 75, wherein the determining whether unlicensed
band resources are available is triggered by change in channel quality,
power level, location or when available bandwidth falls below threshold.

81. The method of claim 75, wherein the determining whether unlicensed
band resources are available comprises at least one of: probing spectrum
availability; and measuring at least one of channel quality, power level,
bandwidth, number of device-to-device connections and number of
device-to-device cluster population.

83. The method of claim 75, further comprising offloading, at least
partially, user plane communication from user plane device-to-device
communication on licensed band, to the device-to-device communication on
unlicensed band.

84. An apparatus comprising at least one processor and at least one
memory including computer program code, the at least one memory and the
computer program code configured to, with the processor, cause the
apparatus to at least: communicate with a second apparatus a
device-to-device communication on licensed band; determine whether
unlicensed band resources are available; and if the unlicensed band
resources are available, initiate a set up of a device-to-device
communication on unlicensed band.

85. The apparatus of claim 84 wherein the memory and computer program
code are configured to, with the processor, cause the apparatus to
determine whether the unlicensed band resources are available by
negotiating with the second device.

86. The apparatus of claim 85 wherein at least one of: the negotiating
with the second device; and the initiating the set up of a
device-to-device communication on unlicensed band; are configured to be
carried via device-to-device communication on licensed band resources.

87. The apparatus of claim 85 wherein at least one of: the negotiating
with the second device; and the initiating the set up of a
device-to-device communication on unlicensed band; are configured to be
carried via device-to-device communication on unlicensed band, short
message service, multimedia messaging service, bluetooth or ultra
wideband message.

88. The apparatus of claim 84, wherein the apparatus is a mobile phone
further comprising: user interface circuitry and user interface software
configured to facilitate user control of at least some functions of the
mobile phone though use of a display and configured to respond to user
inputs and a display and display circuitry configured to display at least
a portion of a user interface of the mobile phone, the display and
display circuitry configured to facilitate user control of at least some
functions of the mobile phone.

89. A method comprising: facilitating a user plane device
device-to-device communication utilizing licensed band resources, the
user plane device device-to-device communication enabling direct
communication between a first device and at least one second device;
facilitating a control plane device device-to-device communication
utilizing licensed band resources, the control plane device
device-to-device communication enabling direct communication at least
between the first device and the at least one second device; and
receiving, from the first device, offload information indicative of the
user plane device device-to-device communication offloading by the first
device, from licensed band to unlicensed band.

90. The method of claim 89, wherein the offload information is a request
to stop, at least partially, scheduling device-to-device communication
resources to the user plane communication on licensed band.

91. The method of claim 89 further comprising, receiving from the first
device, information indicative of the at least one second device leaving
the device-to-device communication on unlicensed band.

92. The method of claim 89, further comprising, providing, to the first
device, a wake-up request for the at least one second device.

93. An apparatus comprising at least one processor and at least one
memory including computer program code, the at least one memory and the
computer program code configured to, with the processor, cause the
apparatus to at least: facilitate a user plane device device-to-device
communication utilizing licensed band resources, the user plane device
device-to-device communication enabling direct communication between a
first device and at least one second device; facilitate a control plane
device device-to-device communication utilizing licensed band resources,
the control plane device-to-device communication enabling direct
communication at least between the first device and the at least one
second device; receive, from the first device, offload information
indicative of the user plane device device-to-device communication
offloading by the first device, from licensed band to unlicensed band.

94. The apparatus of claim 19 wherein the offload information is a
request to stop, at least partially, scheduling device-to-device
communication resources for the user plane communication on licensed
band.

Description:

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The example and non-limiting embodiments of the present invention
relate generally to inter-device communication technology and, more
particularly, relate to a method, and apparatus for device initiated
offloading.

BACKGROUND

[0002] The modern communications era has brought about a tremendous
expansion of wireless communication. Devices may communicate with each
other via various methods, such as via device-to-device communication.

SUMMARY

[0003] According to an example embodiment of the present invention, a
method is provided comprising, communicating, by a first device, with a
second device, using a device-to-device communication on licensed band,
determining, by the first device, whether unlicensed band resources are
available, and if the unlicensed band resources are available,
initiating, by the first device, a set up of a device-to-device
communication on unlicensed band.

[0004] According to another example embodiment of the present invention, a
method is provided comprising, communicating, by a second device, with a
first device, using a device-to-device communication on licensed band,
receiving instructions, from the first device, via the device-to-device
communication on licensed band, to initiate determining whether
unlicensed band resources are available, providing the results of said
determining to the first device, utilizing device-to-device communication
on licensed band, and receiving instructions, from the first device, via
device-to-device communication on licensed band, to initiate a set up of
at least one second device-to-device communication on unlicensed band,
with the first device.

[0005] According to yet another example embodiment of the present
invention, an apparatus is provided. The apparatus comprises at least one
processor and at least one memory including computer program code, the at
least one memory and the computer program code configured to, with the
processor, cause the apparatus to at least communicate with a second
apparatus a device-to-device communication on licensed band, determine
whether unlicensed band resources are available, and if the unlicensed
band resources are available, initiate a set up of a device-to-device
communication on unlicensed band.

[0006] According to another example embodiment of the present invention, a
method is provided comprising facilitating a user plane device
device-to-device communication utilizing licensed band resources, the
user plane device device-to-device communication enabling direct
communication between a first device and at least one second device,
facilitating a control plane device device-to-device communication
utilizing licensed band resources, the control plane device
device-to-device communication enabling direct communication at least
between the first device and the at least one second device, and
receiving, from the first device, offload information indicative of the
user plane device device-to-device communication offloading by the first
device, from licensed band to unlicensed band.

[0007] According to another example embodiment of the present invention,
an apparatus is provided. The apparatus comprises at least one processor
and at least one memory including computer program code, the at least one
memory and the computer program code configured to, with the processor,
cause the apparatus to at least facilitate a user plane device
device-to-device communication utilizing licensed band resources, the
user plane device device-to-device communication enabling direct
communication between a first device and at least one second device,
facilitate a control plane device device-to-device communication
utilizing licensed band resources, the control plane device-to-device
communication enabling direct communication at least between the first
device and the at least one second device, receive, from the first
device, offload information indicative of the user plane device
device-to-device communication offloading by the first device, from
licensed band to unlicensed band.

[0008] According to a yet another embodiment of the present invention, a
computer program product is provided comprising a computer-readable
medium bearing computer program code embodied therein for use with a
computer, the computer program code comprising code for communicating, by
a first device, with a second device utilizing a device-to-device
communication on licensed band, code for determining, by a first device,
whether unlicensed band resources are available, and code for, if the
resources are available, initiating, by a first device, a set up of a
device-to-device communication on unlicensed band.

[0009] According to another embodiment of the present invention an
apparatus is provided comprising at least one processor and at least one
memory including computer program code, the at least one memory and the
computer program code configured to, with the processor, cause the
apparatus to at least communicate, by a first device, with a second
apparatus, a device-to-device communication on licensed band, determine,
by the first device whether unlicensed band resources are available, and
if the unlicensed band resources are available, initiate, by the first
device, a set up of a device-to-device communication on unlicensed band,
wherein said apparatus is part of said first device.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0010] For a more complete understanding of example embodiments of the
present invention, reference is now made to the following descriptions
taken in connection with the accompanying drawings in which:

[0011] FIG. 1A shows a simplified block diagram of various electronic
devices that are suitable for use in practicing example embodiments of
the invention;

[0013]FIG. 2 shows a flow diagram illustrating a device offloading user
plane device-device communication from licensed band to unlicensed band,
according to an example embodiment of the present invention;

[0014]FIG. 3 shows a flow diagram illustrating a device offloading user
plane device-device communication from licensed band to unlicensed band,
according to another example embodiment of the present invention;

[0015] FIG. 4 shows a flow diagram illustrating a device offloading user
plane device-device communication from licensed band to unlicensed band
according to yet another example embodiment of the present invention;

[0016]FIG. 5 shows a flow diagram illustrating a device offloading user
plane device-device communication from licensed band to unlicensed band,
according to yet another example embodiment of the present invention;

[0017]FIG. 6 is a flow chart showing an example method for off loading
communication from licensed band to unlicensed band according to an
example embodiment of the present invention; and

[0018]FIG. 7 is a flow chart showing an example method for device
initiated offloading from licensed band to unlicensed band according to
yet another example embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0019] Example embodiments of the present invention and its potential
advantages are understood by referring to FIGS. 1 through 7 of the
drawings.

[0020] The example embodiments of the present invention enable the set up
of a device-to-device communication in the 3GPP long term evolution
advanced (LTE-A) and system architecture evolution (SAE) environment. The
example embodiments provide a way for a device to autonomously offload
device-to-device communication from licensed band to unlicensed band.

[0021] In addition to 3GPP LTE-Advanced environment, the embodiments of
the present invention may be employed with other current and future radio
technologies. Some non-limiting examples of such environments are LTE,
worldwide interoperability for microwave access (Wimax), code division
multiple access (CDMA), CDMA2000, wideband CDMA (WCDMA) and time
division-synchronous CDMA (TD-SCDMA).

[0022] FIG. 1A shows a simplified block diagram of various electronic
devices that are suitable for use in practicing example embodiments of
the invention. In an example embodiment, a wireless network 1 is adapted
for communication with a communication terminal or device, such as a
mobile communication device, sensor or Internet tablet, which may be
referred to as a UE1 10, via a network access node or network entity,
such as a Node B (base station), and more specifically an enhanced node
B, eNB1 12. The network 1 may include an infrastructure network control
element (NCE) 14 (which may also be considered as a network entity) that
may include the Mobility Management Entity/Serving Gateway (MME/S-GW) and
which provides connectivity with a network 16, such as a telephone
network and/or a data communications network (e.g., the Internet). The
UE1 10 includes a data processor (DP) 10A, a memory (MEM) 10B that stores
a computer program code (PROG) 10C, and a suitable radio frequency (RF)
transceiver 10D for bidirectional wireless communications 11 with the
eNB1 12. The eNB 12 also includes a DP 12A, a MEM 12B that stores a PROG
12C, and a suitable RF transceiver 12D. The eNB 12 is coupled via a data
path 13 to the NCE 14. The NCE 14 includes memory 14A, data processor 14A
and program and interfaces 14C. The data path 13 may be implemented as
the S1 interface. At least one of the PROGs 10C and 12C is assumed to
include program instructions that, when executed by the associated DP,
enable the electronic device to operate in accordance with the example
embodiments of this invention, as will be discussed below in greater
detail. That is, the example embodiments of this invention may be
implemented at least in part by computer software executable by the DP
10A of the UE1 10 and by the DP 12A of the eNB1 12, or by hardware, or by
a combination of software and hardware.

[0023] It should be appreciated that in some cases each of the
communication element or device may include antenna or antennas for
transmitting signals to and for receiving signals from a base site, e.g.,
eNB1 12, and to and from other communication terminals or devices.
Alternatively or additionally, the device may also include user interface
circuitry and user interface software configured to facilitate user
control of at least some functions of the mobile phone though use of a
display and configured to respond to user inputs and a display and
display circuitry configured to display at least a portion of a user
interface of the mobile phone, the display and display circuitry
configured to facilitate user control of at least some functions of the
mobile phone.

[0024] The memory 10B or 12B may include, for example, one or more
volatile and/or non-volatile memories. In other words, for example, the
memory 10B or 12B may be an electronic storage device, for example, a
computer readable storage medium, comprising gates configured to store
data (e.g., bits) that may be retrievable by a machine (e.g., a computing
device). The memory 10B or 12B may be configured to store information,
data, applications, instructions or the like for enabling the apparatus
to carry out various functions in accordance with example embodiments of
the present invention. For example, the memory 10B could be configured to
buffer input data for processing by the data processor 10A. Additionally
or alternatively, the memory 10B could be configured to store
instructions for execution by the data processor 10A. In some
embodiments, the volatile memory may be random access memory (RAM). The
non-volatile memory may be embedded or removable. The non-volatile memory
may comprise electronically erasable programmable read only memory
(EEPROM), or flash memory.

[0025] The data processor 10A or 12A may be embodied in a number of
different ways. For example, the data processor 10A or 12A may be
embodied as one or more of various processing means such as a
coprocessor, a microprocessor, a controller, a digital signal processor
(DSP), a processing element with or without an accompanying DSP, or
various other processing devices including integrated circuits such as,
for example, an ASIC (application specific integrated circuit), an FPGA
(field programmable gate array), a microcontroller unit (MCU), a hardware
accelerator, a special-purpose computer chip, or the like. In an example
embodiment, the data processor 10A may be configured to execute
instructions stored in the memory 10B or otherwise accessible to the data
processor 10A. Alternatively or additionally, the data processor 10A or
12A may be configured to execute hard coded functionality. As such,
whether configured by hardware or software methods, or by a combination
thereof, the data processor 10A or 12A may represent an entity, e.g.,
physically embodied in circuitry, capable of performing operations
according to embodiments of the present invention while configured
accordingly. Thus, for example, when the data processor 10A is embodied
as an ASIC, FPGA or the like, the data processor 10A may be specifically
configured hardware for conducting the operations described herein.

[0026] Alternatively, when the data processor 10A is embodied as an
executor of software instructions, the instructions may specifically
configure the data processor 10A to perform the algorithms and/or
operations described herein when the instructions are executed. However,
in some cases, the data processor 10A may be a processor of a specific
device, e.g., an eNB, or other network device, adapted for employing
embodiments of the present invention by further configuration of the data
processor 10A by instructions for performing the algorithms and/or
operations described herein. The data processor 10A may include, among
other things, a clock, an arithmetic logic unit (ALU) and logic gates
configured to support operation of the data processor 10A. In an example
embodiment, the term circuitry refers to (a) hardware-only circuit
implementations, e.g., implementations in analog circuitry and/or digital
circuitry; (b) combinations of circuits and computer program product(s)
comprising software and/or firmware instructions stored on one or more
computer readable memories that work together to cause an apparatus to
perform one or more functions described herein; or (c) circuits, such as,
for example, a microprocessor(s) or a portion of a microprocessor(s),
that require software or firmware for operation even if the software or
firmware is not physically present. As a further example, as used herein,
the term `circuitry` also includes an implementation comprising one or
more processors and/or portion(s) thereof and accompanying software
and/or firmware. As another example, the term `circuitry` as used herein
also includes, for example, a baseband integrated circuit or applications
processor integrated circuit for a mobile phone or a similar integrated
circuit in a server, a cellular network device, other network device,
and/or other computing device.

[0027] A "computer-readable storage medium," which refers to a
non-transitory, physical storage medium (e.g., volatile or non-volatile
memory device), can be differentiated from a "computer-readable
transmission medium," which refers to an electromagnetic signal.

[0028] FIG. 1B shows a simplified network architecture diagram suitable
for practicing example embodiments of this invention. In an example
embodiment, a network 101 employs WCDMA radio access technology. MME/S-GW
14 is coupled to the eNB 12 via a connection 108, such as internet
protocol (IP) over multi-protocol label switching (MPLS) over synchronous
digital hierarchy (SDH) link. MME/S-GW 14 may be further coupled to
network elements, such as home subscriber server (HSS), packet data
gateway (PDG) and other gateways and servers. User terminals UE1 10 and
UE2 10 are within the radio coverage area 105 of the eNB 12. Terminals
(devices) UE1 10 and UE2 are coupled to the cellular network 101 via eNB
12. UE1 10 and UE2 10 have device-to-device communication 113 on licensed
band for control plane communication. According to some embodiments of
the present invention, UE 1 10 and UE2 10 have also device-to-device
communication 112 on licensed band for user plane communication. In some
embodiments of the present invention, control plane and user plane data
utilize the same device-to-device communication. The user plane
communication may be used for application layer data, such video call or
file transfer. Also shown is device-to-device communication 111 on
unlicensed band for user plane communication. In an example embodiment of
the present invention, the device-to-device communication 111 on
unlicensed band may employ IEEE 802.11 based wireless local area network
(WLAN) technology. One of the devices may act as a WLAN access point (AP)
or alternatively, the devices may employ peer-to-peer or direct mode
approach. Specific example technologies for device-to-device
communication 111 on unlicensed band are, in addition to basic WLAN, are
at least Wi-Fi Direct by Wi-Fi Alliance, IEEE 802.11s (Mesh) or IEEE
802.11z (Direct Link Setup), IEEE 802.16, Bluetooth (BT), ultra wideband
(UWB) or any other radio access technology suitable for operation on
unlicensed band between devices. Above-mentioned technologies for
unlicensed band device-to-device communication may be used, alone or
together, for control plane or user plane communication.

[0029] The licensed band is controlled by at least one network element,
such as eNB 12. eNB 12 is in charge of allocating or scheduling resources
for device-to-device communication on licensed bands. Example resources
are time or frequency resources or resource blocks. The resources may be
requested from eNB 12 by UE1 10, UE2 10, MME/S-GW 14 or by some other
network element. Cellular communication and licensed band
device-to-device communication compete for the same radio resources.
Cellular communication systems, such as LTE, operate on spectrum that is
typically licensed to network operators. In contrast, WLAN typically
operates on unlicensed band. The unlicensed band resources are free to
use and not regulated by the government. It should be appreciated that
according to some embodiments, licensed band technologies, such as LTE-A,
may also be deployed on unlicensed band for device-to-device
communication. Alternative or additionally, unlicensed band technologies,
such as WLAN, may be deployed in licensed band under the control of a
network.

[0030] The long term evolution (LTE) scheduling operates on short time
intervals of 1 ms subframes and on flexible frequency allocations in
physical resource blocks (PRB) of 180 kHz. Therefore, licensed band
device-to-device (D2D) communication may find short time intervals and
frequency proportions, where communications is feasible without causing
harmful interference to the cellular network. One approach to coordinate
interference between the cellular and licensed band D2D communications is
to assign dedicated physical resource blocks (PRBs) for D2D, where these
resources are dynamically adjusted based on temporal needs. Dedicated
resources for licensed band D2D communications could lead to inefficient
use of the available resources and efficiency may be increased when
licensed band D2D links would reuse the same PRBs as allocated for the
cellular links. In order to control the interference from licensed band
D2D to the cellular network when reusing the same resources, it may be
beneficial if the eNB 12 is able to control the maximum transmit power of
licensed band D2D transmitters at terminals, such as UE1 10 and UE2 10.
Furthermore, the eNB 12 assigns resources to licensed band D2D
connections reusing either the uplink or downlink resources or both, in
the cellular network.

[0031] There is no fundamental difference in the interference coordination
mechanisms when licensed band D2D works as an underlay to an LTE network
operating in frequency division duplex (FDD) or time division duplex
(TDD) mode. In D2D links, there is no clear differentiation between the
uplink and downlink as such.

[0032] When sharing cellular resources, a suitable licensed band D2D
transmit power level may be found by long term observations of the impact
for different D2D power levels on the quality of the cellular links. In
addition, the eNB 12 may ensure that the cellular users scheduled on the
same resources with the D2D connections are well isolated in propagation
conditions. For example, the eNB 12 might schedule licensed band indoor
D2D connections together with outdoor cellular users.

[0033] In some embodiments, the network 101 may employ one or more radio
access technologies (RATS), such as WCDMA, CDMA2000, GPRS, LTE, LTE-A or
GSM.

[0034] Although the FIG. 1B shows two devices UE1 10 and UE2 10 within the
coverage area 105 of one eNB 12, it should be appreciated that other
configurations are also possible. For example, one or both device UE1 10
or UE2 10 could alternatively locate in coverage area other than coverage
area 105. There may also be other eNBs 12 in the vicinity of the eNB12.

[0035] In some example embodiments, the UE1 10 or UE2 10 may be a mobile
communication device such as, for example, a personal digital assistant
(PDA), mobile telephone, mobile computing device, camera, video recorder,
audio/video player, positioning device (e.g., a global positioning system
(GPS) device), game device, television device, radio device, or various
other like devices or combinations thereof Alternative or additionally,
UE1 10 or UE2 10 may be a component for such as device. As such, the
device UE1 10 or UE2 10 may include one or more processors and one or
more memories for storing instructions, which when executed by the
processor, cause the UE1 10 or UE2 to operate in a particular way or
execute specific functionality. The UE1 10 or UE2 10 may also include
communication circuitry and corresponding hardware/software to enable
communication with other devices. The device 10 may also include user
interface circuitry and user interface software configured to facilitate
user control of at least some functions of the mobile phone though use of
a display and configured to respond to user inputs and a display and
display circuitry configured to display at least a portion of a user
interface of the mobile phone, the display and display circuitry
configured to facilitate user control of at least some functions of the
mobile phone.

[0036]FIG. 2 shows a flow diagram illustrating a device offloading user
plane device-device communication from licensed band to unlicensed band,
according to an example embodiment of the present invention. In an
example embodiment, UE1 10 and UE2 10 are under the control of the same
network and the same eNB 12. UE1 10 and UE2 10 are coupled to the eNB 12.
The eNB 12 facilitates device-to-device communication 210 between UE1 10
and UE2 10 on licensed band by allocating or scheduling licensed band
resources. In an example embodiment, the device-to-device communication
210 is user plane data, such as user's application layer data.
Alternatively or additionally, the device-to-device communication 210 is
control plane data, or both control plane and user plane data. There may
be additional licensed or unlicensed band device-to-device communications
simultaneously. In the example of FIG. 2, the device-to-device
communication 210 on licensed band is under the control of eNB 12. UE1 10
and UE2 10 are communicating with each other using device-to-device
communication on licensed band by providing and/or receiving data
directly between UE1 10 and UE2 10. In some embodiments, the UE1 10 and
UE2 10 are communicating so that only control plane data is exchanged
between them, but UE1 10 and UE2 10 are ready to provide and/or receive
user plane data, too. In one example, UE1 10 and UE2 10 exchange user
plane data via device-to-device communication 210 on licensed band. User
plane data may not be transferred all the time.

[0037] At 211, UE1 10 determines whether device-to-device communication
resources on unlicensed band resources are available. The determining is
done in preparation for device-to-device communication on unlicensed band
with UE2 10. The determining may be done occasionally, periodically,
continuously, or triggered by some event, message or other reason.

[0038] In some embodiments of the present invention, UE1 10 determines
locally the unlicensed band resource availability by listening if there
are inactive WLAN channels available. Alternatively or additionally, UE1
10 may probe other frequency or time resource or resource block
availability. Alternatively or additionally, UE1 10 may measure channel
quality, power levels, location, distance to other devices, or bandwidth.
The bandwidth may be, for example, available bandwidth that is free to be
used. Alternatively or additionally, the bandwidth may be consumed
bandwidth in found channels. UE1 10 may also ask resource availability
information from a cellular or a local area network element or from other
device. UE1 10 may also measure how many devices there are in potential
channels, such as in a WLAN channel. According to an example embodiment
of the presented invention, the determining at UE1 10 is triggered when
UE1 enters certain location area, or the distance to other device or
bandwidth falls below threshold. In some embodiments, trigger levels are
set. For example, when the licensed band power allocation trigger exceeds
certain threshold then the determining is started. In another example,
the trigger may be minimum threshold of cluster population. In some
embodiments, the trigger information may be provided by a network
element, such as eNB 12 or MME 14 or device UE2 10. In some embodiments
of the present invention, the trigger may be provided via unlicensed band
D2D resources, short message service/multimedia messaging service
(SMS/MMS), Bluetooth (BT), or ultra wideband (UWB) message. Application
layer protocols, such internet protocol version 4 (IPv4), internet
protocol version 6 (IPv6), session initiation protocol (SIP) or
extensible messaging and presence protocol (XMPP) may also be utilized
for providing trigger information.

[0039] According to some embodiments of the present invention, UE1 10 and
UE2 10 negotiate directly between them. During the negotiation, at 212a,
UE1 10 provides a measurement request to the UE2 10 via existing
device-to-device communication that allows control communication.
Receiving the measurement request triggers UE2 10 to start the
determining at UE2 10. The control communication may utilize either user
plane device-to-device communication 210, or a separate licensed band
control plane or user plane device-to-device communication. Additionally
or alternatively, the negotiating is carried out via cellular network or
unlicensed band device-to-device communication or via SMS, MMS, UWB, or
BT. Alternatively, or additionally, the negotiation may be carried out
using SIP or XMPP.

[0040] At 212b, the UE2 10 responds with a measurement response. The
measurement request and response allow negotiation and exchange of
information between UE1 10 and UE2 10. In some embodiments, there may be
multiple additional devices, such as UE3 and UE4 in the device-to-device
communication. The measurement negotiation may exchange information
indicative of local radio capability, spectrum probing information,
available channel identification, medium access control (MAC) address,
radio access technology preference information, bandwidth, power level,
location, offloading capability, offloading preference and/or channel
quality information. As an example, available channel identification may
be the channel identification of the available WLAN channel that the
device found. Once the UE1 10 receives the one or more measurement
response, it knows what kind of unlicensed band device-to-device
communication may be established with UE2 10. UE1 10 may also store the
information. The stored information may be used in the future when UE1 10
wants to establish unlicensed band device-to-device communication with
UE2 10.

[0041] As an example, after receiving the measurement request from UE1 10,
UE2 10 determines if there are inactive WLAN channels available for
device-to-device communication with UE1 10. UE2 10 reports the
information back to UE1 10. It the same WLAN channel is found by both UE1
10 and UE2 10 it is possible to set up the device-to-device communication
on that WLAN channel. In some embodiments, UE1 10 initiates a set up of
unlicensed band device-to-device communication.

[0042] At 213a, UE1 10 initiates the unlicensed band device-to-device
communication set up. The unlicensed band device-to-device communication
set up may be initiated via existing device-to-device communication on
licensed band. UE2 10 responds with one or more responses at 213b. The
set up at 213a and at 213b may utilize either user plane device-to-device
communication 210, or a separate licensed band control plane
device-to-device communication. In some embodiments, the control
communication for set up may also utilize existing unlicensed band
device-to-device communication. Alternatively, or additionally, the set
up utilizes cellular network, SMS, MMS, Bluetooth, SIP, XMPP or UWB
messages.

[0043] According to an example embodiment of the present invention, the
measurement request and response are carried out using radio resource
control (RRC). Alternatively, or additionally, medium access control
(MAC) protocols, WLAN negotiation or application layer negotiation, such
as IP, SIP, or XMPP based negotiation, or SMS, MMS, Bluetooth, UWB based
negotiations may be used.

[0045] The set up request and response enable the establishment and bearer
setup of a new unlicensed device-to-device communication 216.

[0046] According to some example embodiments of the present invention, UE1
10 provides reachability information, associated with the unlicensed band
device-to-device communication to UE2 10 via the device-to-device
communication on licensed band. Alternatively or additionally, the
reachability information is provided via device-to-device communication
on unlicensed band, or via SMS, MMS, Bluetooth or UWB. The reachability
information may be for example, IP address, device uniform resource
identifier (URI), user uniform resource identifier (URI), phone number,
international mobile equipment identity (IMEI), MAC level address,
Bluetooth address or some other reachability contact address for the user
or the device.

[0047] In some embodiments of the present invention, one or more of the
devices, such as UE1 10, starts offloading at 214, when the new
unlicensed band device-to-device communication 216 has been set up. As an
example, the application layer data traffic is now directed to the new
unlicensed band device-to-device communication 216, instead of licensed
band 210. In some embodiments of the present invention, the application
layer data is Internet Protocol (IP) layer data, such as file transfer,
synchronization data, chat, printing data, or Voice or Video over IP
data. Alternatively or additionally, the application layer data may be
non-IP data. Alternatively, or additionally, the resources associated
with the licensed band 210 may be released. In some embodiments, UE1 10
and/or UE2 10 switch to a new cellular state or mode, such as idle or
sleep mode, after the device-to-device communication 216 has been set up.
This enables UE1 10 or UE2 10 to operate accordingly towards the cellular
network.

[0048] In some embodiments of the present invention, at 217a, the UE1 10
informs the network element eNB 12. In an example embodiment, the
information provided at 217a includes a request to stop scheduling
resources for the licensed band device-to-device communication 210.
According to some embodiments of the present invention, eNB 12 stops
scheduling the resources for and/or releases current resources associated
with the user plane device-to-device communication 210 on licensed band.
Alternatively, or additionally, the information provided at 217a may
include information indicative that the devices have established new
device-to-device communication along with details associated with the new
device-to-device communication. In some embodiments of the present
invention, the information provided at 217a may include information
indicative of another device, such as a UE2 10 leaving device-to-device
communication or other changes in the communication. Alternatively or
additionally, at 217a the information may include information indicative
of device-to-device radio capability or preference of the other device.
Alternatively or additionally, at 217a, the information may include
offload information. For example, UE1 10 may inform eNB 12 that
offloading user plane data communication from licensed band to unlicensed
band has been completed. In some embodiments of the present invention,
UE1 10 may provide the information to UE2 10, eNB 12, MME 14 or some
other network element.

[0050] At 218a, eNB 12 receives control information from MME 14.
Alternatively, or additionally, eNB 12 may receive the information from
other network element, such as, for example, an offload server. At 218b,
UE1 10 receives control information from the eNB 12. Alternatively or
additionally, UE1 10 may receive the control information directly from
MME 14 or from some other network element, such as offload server.

[0051] In some embodiments of the present invention, UE1 10 exchanges
control information with a cellular network on behalf of at least one
second device. Alternatively or additionally, UE1 10 routes user plane
data traffic between cellular network and at least one second device. The
at least one second device is coupled with UE1 10 via device-to-device
communication. As an example, at 218b, the control information is a
wake-up information for the at least one second device. In response of
receiving the wake up request for other device, at 218c, UE1 10 may
instruct the at least one second device to wake up. Alternatively, or
additionally, at 218c, UE1 10 may page other devices or instruct the at
least one second device to switch from licensed band to unlicensed band
or vice versa.

[0052] According to some example embodiments of the present invention, the
control information at 218a, 218b or 218c includes cellular state or mode
information to UE1 10 and/or UE2 10. Examples of such modes are: sleep
mode, idle mode, radio resource control (RRC) connected, or mobility
management entity idle, d2d registration server function (DRSF) active,
ITC connected mode with cell radio network temporary identifier (c-rnti)
assigned, and/or the like.

[0053] Although only two devices UE1 10 and UE2 10 are shown, the device
offloading of FIG. 2 may be implemented with more than two devices, such
as mobile phones, sensors or other devices. Similarly, the device
offloading of FIG. 2 may be implemented with a different number of
network nodes, such as eNB 12 or MME 14. Further according to some
embodiments, UE1 10 may generate the control information at 218c
independently. For example, the control information may include
information to switch or offload from one channel to another or to
operate in master or slave role. In some embodiments of the present
invention, devices, such as UE2 10 may similarly send any control
information to the network elements, via UE1 10. Example control
information from UE1 10 to UE2 10 is information indicative of UE2 10 to
start operating in cellular idle state or in d2d slave mode.

[0054] In some embodiments, the licensed band device-to-device
communication 210 is according to LTE-A TDD, deployed in uplink part of a
serving LTE-A FDD system. eNB 12 schedules resources for licensed band
device-to-device communication 210. In some embodiments, the unlicensed
band device-to-device communication 216 is according to WLAN or Wi-Fi
direct mode. Alternatively or additionally, the unlicensed band
device-to-device communication 216 is according to LTE-A based
technology, deployed on unlicensed band. In some embodiments, there are
additional licensed and unlicensed band device-to-device communications.
These device-to-device communications enable user plane data, control
plane data, or both.

[0055]FIG. 3 shows a flow diagram illustrating a device offloading user
plane device-device communication from licensed band to unlicensed band
according to an example embodiment. In an example embodiment, devices UE1
10 and UE2 10 are coupled to different eNB 12 nodes. The different eNB12
nodes may belong to the same or different network operators.

[0057] At 310, UE1 10 provides control information to eNB1 12. In some
embodiments of the present invention, at 310 the control information
includes information indicative of device-to-device radio capability or
preference of the at least one second device, or whether the at least one
second device left or joined the device-to-device communication. For
example, UE1 10 could report that UE2 10 left the device-to-device
communication 216 on unlicensed band. One reason why UE2 10 left the
communication 216 is that UE2 10 moved outside of WLAN coverage area from
UE1 10.

[0058] 310 is similar to 217a in FIG. 2. 315 is similar to 310 of FIGS. 3
and to 217a of FIGS. 2. 213a, 213b, 214 and 216 are similar to
corresponding steps of FIG. 2.

[0059] At 322, UE2 10 provides control information to eNB 12. 218b is
similar to FIG. 2. At 324, eNB2 12 provides control information to UE2
10. The control information at 322 or 324 may comprise control
information or information examples described with reference to FIG. 2.
For example, UE2 10 may request eNB2 12 to stop scheduling resources. In
some embodiments, UE1 10 and UE2 10 utilize a device-to-device
communication on licensed band, under the control of one of the network
nodes, such as eNB1 12. Alternatively, or additionally, UE1 10 and UE2 10
may utilize device-to-device communication on unlicensed band.

[0060] FIG. 4 shows a flow diagram illustrating another example of a
device offloading user plane device-device communication from licensed
band to unlicensed band, according to an example embodiment. In the
example embodiment of FIG. 4, the network provides trigger information to
the devices, assisting the devices in offloading. In an example
embodiment, eNB 12 contains functionality of MME 14 of FIG. 2.

[0061] At 410, eNB 12 provides trigger information to the UE1 10. The
trigger information may be used to help UE1 10 to decide, start,
determine or investigate offloading. According to some embodiments of the
present invention, the trigger information comprises channel quality,
power level, bandwidth, offloading capability, preference or willingness
information. For example, the eNB 12 may provide information indicative
of the channel quality or transmit power levels in unlicensed or licensed
bands. That information may assist UE1 10 when it determines or starts
offloading to unlicensed band with another device.

[0062] 210, 213a, 213b, 216, 214 and 217a are similar to corresponding
steps of FIG. 2.

[0063] At 425, UE2 left the unlicensed device-to-device communication. For
example, UE2 10 may have voluntarily left the communication, or UE2 10
may have been dropped because it moved outside of WLAN coverage area UE2
10 shared with UE1 10.

[0064] 315 is similar to 315 of FIG. 3. For example, at 315, UE1 10
reports to eNB/MME 12 that UE2 10 left the unlicensed band
device-to-device communication.

[0065] At 435, UE1 10 initiates licensed band set up request 435 to the
eNB 12. At 440, eNB/MME 12 configures or enables configuration of a new
licensed band device-to-device communication 450 for UE2 10. At 445,
eNN/MME 12 configures or enables the configuration of the new licensed
band device-to-device communication 450 for UE1 10. Alternatively, or
additionally, earlier established licensed band device-to-device
communication 210 may have been held alive and just re-activated or
reused. In any case, licensed band device-to-device communication 450 or
210 allow devices UE1 10 and UE2 10 to continue device-to-device
communication, if, for example, UE2 had left the unlicensed band
device-to-device communication 216.

[0066] In some embodiments, the licensed band device-to-device
communication 450 is according to LTE-A, deployed in uplink part of a
serving LTE-A system. eNB 12 schedules resources for licensed band
device-to-device communication 450. In some embodiments, the unlicensed
band device-to-device communication 216 is according to WLAN or Wi-Fi
direct mode. Alternatively or additionally, the unlicensed band
device-to-device communication 216 is according to LTE-A based
technology, deployed on unlicensed band.

[0067]FIG. 5 shows a flow diagram illustrating a device offloading user
plane device-device communication from licensed band to unlicensed band
according to yet another example embodiment of the present invention.

[0068] In the example embodiment of FIG. 5, three devices, UE1 10, UE2 10
and UE3 10 are illustrated participating in device-to-device
communication 510 on licensed band. According to one or more embodiments
of the present invention, UE1 10 is acting as a cluster head (CH) or
master device for the other devices. UE2 10 and UE3 10 are acting as
slave devices.

[0069] 218c, 212a, 212b, 213a, 213b, and 214 are similar to the
corresponding steps of FIGS. 2-4. For example, at 218c, UE1 10 provides
control information to UE2 10 and UE3 10. In the example of FIG. 5, the
control information at 218c is information that UE1 10 is the cluster
head.

[0070] Additionally, or alternatively, UE1 10 may initiate measurement
request and set up request to UE2 10 and UE3 10, as described earlier
with reference to FIGS. 2-4.

[0071] At 535a, UE1 10 informs the eNB 12 or MME 14 to stop scheduling
resources for the licensed band device-to-device communication.
Alternatively or additionally, eNB 12 may provide the information to MME
14.

[0072] At 530, the unlicensed band device-to-device communication is
active.

[0073] According to some embodiments of the present invention, at 540a,
540b, 540c and 540d, control information is exchanged between devices and
other elements, as described earlier with reference to FIG. 2-4. For
example, as a non-limiting example, the control information may include
wake-up information for at least one device. In response to receiving the
wake-up information, UE1 10 may instruct, at least one second device to
wake up.

[0074]FIG. 6 is a flow chart showing an example method 600 operating in
accordance with an example embodiment of the present invention. Example
method 600 may be performed by an electronic device, such as UE1 10 of
FIG. 1A or FIG. 1B.

[0075] At 620, the device communicates with the other device, such as UE2
of FIG. 1A or FIG. 1B. In the example embodiment of FIG. 6, the
communication is carried out via device-to-device communication on
licensed band. According to an example embodiment, the device sends and
receives video over IP data with the other device.

[0076] At 630, the device determines if unlicensed band resources are
available for D2D communication. In an example embodiment, the
determining is triggered periodically. Alternatively, or additionally,
the trigger may be a message from other UE2. Further, the determining may
be triggered when the device enters a certain area.

[0077] At 640, if the resources are available, the device sets up the
unlicensed band device-to-device communication.

[0078] At 650, the device offloads current user plane device-to-device
communication on licensed band to unlicensed band device-to-device
communication.

[0080] At 670, the device exchanges control information with eNB and UE2.
For example, the device may forward a wake-up request from the eNB to
UE2. According to another embodiment, the device may route Internet data
between UE2 and eNB.

[0081]FIG. 7 is a flow chart showing an example method 700 for device
initiated offloading from licensed band to unlicensed band according to
yet another example embodiment of the present invention. Example method
700 may be performed by an electronic device, such as eNB1 12 of FIG. 1A
or eNB 12 of FIG. 1B. In an alternative embodiment, the method 700 may be
performed by a MME 14 of FIG. 1A or MME/S-GW 14 FIG. 1B or by different
network element, such as an offload server.

[0082] At 710, the eNB is facilitating licensed band D2D resources for
devices. In an example embodiment, eNB is scheduling resources for
licensed band D2D communication between UE1 and UE2 of FIG. 1A or FIG.
1B. In some embodiments, the licensed band D2D communication is for user
plane data. Alternatively or additionally, there may be a separate
licensed band D2D communication for control plane data or control and
user plane data.

[0083] At 720, the eNB receives offload information from UE1 indicating,
for example, that UE1 and UE2 have, autonomously, established unlicensed
band user plane data D2D communication. Alternatively or additionally,
eNB may receive offload information indicative that the scheduling for
user plane licensed band D2D may be stopped. In some embodiments, the
licensed band control plane D2D communication is continued.

[0084] At 730, eNB sends information to UE1, that UE1 should function in
RRC connected state, and UE2 in idle mode. Alternatively, the information
may be indicative of any other cellular state according to what UE1 or
UE2 should function.

[0085] At 740, the cellular network node sends information to UE1,
indicating that UE2 should wake-up.

[0086] It will be understood that each block of the flowcharts, and
combinations of blocks in the flowcharts, may be implemented by various
means, such as hardware, firmware, processor, circuitry and/or other
device associated with execution of software including one or more
computer program instructions. For example, one or more of the procedures
described above may be embodied by computer program instructions. In this
regard, the computer program instructions which embody the procedures
described above may be stored by a memory device of an apparatus
employing an embodiment of the present invention and executed by a
processor in the apparatus. As will be appreciated, any such computer
program instructions may be loaded onto a computer or other programmable
apparatus (e.g., hardware) to produce a machine, such that the resulting
computer or other programmable apparatus provides for implementation of
the functions specified in the flowchart block(s). These computer program
instructions may also be stored in a computer-readable memory that may
direct a computer or other programmable apparatus to function in a
particular manner, such that the instructions stored in the
computer-readable memory produce an article of manufacture the execution
of which implements the function specified in the flowcharts block(s).
The computer program instructions may also be loaded onto a computer or
other programmable apparatus to cause a series of operations to be
performed on the computer or other programmable apparatus to produce a
computer-implemented process such that the instructions which execute on
the computer or other programmable apparatus provide operations for
implementing the functions specified in the flowcharts block(s).

[0087] Without in any way limiting the scope, interpretation, or
application of the claims appearing below, a technical effect of one or
more of the example embodiments disclosed herein is to enable efficient
spectrum usage. Another technical effect of one or more example
embodiments is that the devices themselves are able to offload
autonomously without need of network node control and supervision

[0088] Accordingly, blocks of the flowchart support combinations of means
for performing the specified functions, combinations of operations for
performing the specified functions and program instruction means for
performing the specified functions. It will also be understood that one
or more blocks of the flowcharts, and combinations of blocks in the
flowcharts, may be implemented by special purpose hardware-based computer
systems which perform the specified functions, or combinations of special
purpose hardware and computer instructions.

[0089] Although various aspects of the invention are set out in the
independent claims, other aspects of the invention comprise other
combinations of features from the described embodiments and/or the
dependent claims with the features of the independent claims, and not
solely the combinations explicitly set out in the claims.

[0090] Embodiments of the present invention may be implemented in
software, hardware, application logic or a combination of software,
hardware and application logic. The software, application logic and/or
hardware may reside on an electronic device.

[0091] It is also noted herein that while the above describes example
embodiments of the invention, these descriptions should not be viewed in
a limiting sense. Rather, there are several variations and modifications
which may be made without departing from the scope of the present
invention as defined in the appended claims.